A lot of my friends and family asked why I want to move to Canada. So, for those of you still pondering if it’s the right decision, here are my reasons of why I want to move to Canada. Hopefully, it sheds some light on your own decision-making process. As a overthinker, seeking advice and support from others helped me realize that sometimes you just have to let go of control and say, “HECK IT!” I’m doing what’s best for me. Cheers to new beginnings!
Table of Contents
Relationship
Before moving to the practical reasons, I have to explain where it all started. It has been a long journey before wanting to make this decision. My life turned upside down the moment I decided to go on a solo backpacking trip to South-America in 2019. I just finished my bachelor in urban planning and wasn’t sure about my future plans, so I decided to pack my bags and book a ticket to Lima in Peru. After 5 days of solo-traveling, I met Shane in Huacachina. We immediately had a great connection and decided to travel together. In the first 3 weeks we didn’t have any expectations, however, we both realized this was more than just a romance. After quite an intense night of partying, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes! I remember my face turned completely red. It felt scary to be in a relationship with the thought of having no future together. The next 2.5 months we traveled together in Bolivia, Chili and Argentina. Time passed with a blink of an eye and sadly my boyfriend had to fly back to Canada. I think saying goodbye was one of the most miserable days in my life. My soulmate had to leave me and I wasn’t sure if we would ever see eachother again.
Newsflash! We had a lot of trust in each other and decided to give it a try. It only took 2.5 months before Shane booked a ticket to the Netherlands. We were finally reunited. Despite many skeptics, I am living proof of that relationships can succeed with enough perseverance!
Describing it as a roller-coaster is an understatement. Shane arrived two weeks before the onset of the COVID pandemix, and as a new couple, we faced our struggles to navigate through this challenge. Looking at it from another perspective, we were quite lucky. If he had arrived just two weeks later, we might not have been together due to disrupted flights and lockdowns. Over the next few years, Shane had the opportunity to meet all my friends and family, while I had to patiently wait two years before meeting his family. As someone who had never been to Canada, I had to pinch myself the moment we flew to Vancouver to meet everyone. Arriving in Vancouver felt like a warm bath. We were able to sleep at Shane’s parent’s house, saving us a significant amount of money, especially considering the high prices. Autsch!
We spend a lot of time meeting Shane’s friends, which, at times, felt a bit overwhelming, but I was happy to follow along. This was what I have been waiting for since I met him in 2019. However, as all good things must come to an end, we eventually had to say goodbye and return to our ordinary lives. As two adventurous souls, we began daydreaming about our next destination, and the list was quite extensive. Spain, New-Zealand, Australia, London, Munich or perhaps Vancouver? Vancouver had constently held the top spot for me. Family holds a significant place in my life, and I desired a deeper connection with his family and friends. To be honest, I played a role in pushing the decision to move to Canada a bit. This year, my dissatisfaction with my job reached an all-time high. Yet, in the end, we both reached an agreement that now is the opportune moment to pack our bags!
Nature
My biggest wish has always been to live in a country with mountains. As a young girl growing up in the Netherlands, I often daydreamed about life with daily hikes. The Netherlands, known for its flat landscapes and high-density populated cities, sometimes leaves me feeling a bit claustrophobic. While the Netherlands is a great place for vibrant youth, offering parties and festivals, I find myself yearning for more than just partying every weekend.
You probably think, but is freezing in Canada! Why Canada? Why not Spain, where the climate is warmer? Well, the answer lies in my love for skiing! Vancouver, with its stunning mountains is a mere 20-minute drive from downtown to Grouse mountain, offering the perfect mix between city-life and alpine adventure. Despite the freezing temperatures in Canada, the prospect of skiing whenever I desire, even after work, makes this move a dream come true. While my family and I used to ski in the Alpes every year, the changing climates has led to unpredictable snow conditions. Moving to Vancouver not only fullfills my childhood dream of living in the mountains, but also offers the opportunity to ski all year round!
Work experience
Canada holds significant promise for establishing a career, particularly in my field of sustainable urban planning The prospect of finding a job in a non-English speaking country would undoubtly pose more challenges, making Canada an appealing choice for professional growth.
While the career opportunities in Canada are good, it is important to acknowledge the different work-life balance compared to the Netherlands. The Netherlands is known for its favorable work-life balance, with most employers offering a generous amount of public holidays, ranging from 20 to 25 days per year. Unfortunately, the standard in Canada tends to be lower, with an average of 14 paid vacation days. Adapting to this life change will be challenging, but I remain optimistic about finding a job that aligns with my values and more holiday allowance than the average Canadian. Maybe I am being unrealistic. I guess we will find out later…
Food
The food scene in a new country is really important to me. Gotta be honest – the food culture in the Netherlands doesn’t exactly light my taste buds on fire. But Vancouver? Now, that’s a different story. It’s a food lover’s dream with some of the best restaurants serving incredible dishes from around the globe – Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Thai, you name it. The variety is mind-blowing, and what’s cool is that pretty much every restaurant is top-notch. One standout for me has been this Japanese sushi spot called Kingyo we stumbled upon. And let me tell you, it’s probably one of the best sushi places I’ve ever been to. The public market of Granville Island and Fishersman’s Warf are definitely on my list of favorite food spots as well. Discoveries like these are yet another reason why I’m pumped about moving here. It’s safe to say my taste buds are ready for it!
The Lobster man, Granville Island
Fisherman’s Warf, Victoria
Experiencing a new culture
Connecting with new people always boosts my energy level and opens doors to opportunities for personal growth. I wholeheartedly believe in the mantra of “surround yourself with an environment that inspires you, pushes you, and lifts you up”. While I cherish my circle of friends and family in the Netherlands, I reached a point where I felt staying here might mean missing out on living my life to its fullest potential. In the Netherlands, there is an atmosphere of “be normal, that’s already crazy enough”and the ambitious pursuit of the “big american dream” to become wealthy and succesful is not exactly the Dutch way. Additionally, during my time in Canada, I observed that people casually want to have a chat on the streets or engage in bars. Dutch people can initally come across as reserved and shy, making it a bit challenging to form new connections. I found myself craving a more spontaneous atmosphere. Dutch people love to plan EVERYTHING. Trying to schedule something with friends in the same week can be a logistical challenge, considering our calenders are often booked solid for the next three months. The prospect of a bit more open and socially engaging environment is an important reasons to move to Canada.
There are moments that I envy those who don’t constantly crave for something new from societal norms. Some people find comfort and contentment in familiar social circles throughout their lives. But that is not who I am… And never will be. For those of you who share my love for adventure and experiencing new people, cuisines, and cultures, consider this your sign to break free from societal norms and jump into the unknown!
Financial benefits
While Canada might have a reputation for being on the pricey side, there are a few financial perks that can make a move worthwhile. In the Netherlands, a chunk of your income from savings and investments faces a 30% tax, but in Canada, there are some tax-free saving accounts (for instance, the SSRP accounts). I would recommend looking into the exact details of this, as I am not an expert on this topic. But my own investigation showed that it can be beneficial looking at the long-term investment game.
Let me be clear: financial benefits are not the primary reason for my move to Canada. However, understanding some of the perks is handy if you’re still weighing the pros and cons of such a huge decision. And if you’re still teetering on the fence, in two weeks I’ve got another post where I discuss reasons you might want to reconsider moving to Canada.
With that said, I am genuinly thrilled to kick off this little community where people with similar mindsets can come together and exchange ideas. I trust that my reasons provided can give you some clarity about making the move to Canada. If you have any additional motivations or insights, drop them in the comments below. In my personal circle, there are not that many people considering a move to another country, so let’s lift each other up and share stories! I would love to chat.
Curious about the cons of moving to Canada? Make sure to check out the 7 reasons you should not move to Canada.
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